Do you want to switch to plan management? You may have already begun your NDIS journey managing your own finances or having the NDIA manage your funds. In this guide, we will share how you can switch to plan management in the middle of your plan.
A mid-plan switch to Plan Management
A plan management provider (or simply, Plan Manager) serves as your financial adviser. They look after your funding from the NDIS and make sure your service providers are paid on time.
You may request for plan management at the very start of the planning process. There are no conditions attached to receiving funding for Plan Management, but this is something you need to request from the NDIA Planner.
If you didn’t have Plan Management included in your plan, your funding will default to being Agency-Managed. In this option, the NDIA will pay NDIS registered providers on your behalf. Unfortunately, it also means you can’t use non-NDIS registered providers. You also can’t pay more than the amounts laid out in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.
You may have also chosen to self-manage your plan, which means you are solely responsible for paying providers, claiming funds from the NDIS Participant Portal and keeping track of your own spending.
If, after a few months into your plan, you decide you want more flexibility, simply call the NDIS on 1800 800 110. You don’t have to wait a full year for your scheduled plan reassessment. Just let them know that you want to include plan management in your plan and wait for your request to be approved.
Advantages of plan management
You may be asked why you want to switch from Agency- or self-management to plan management. Here are a few advantages of switching to plan management, to give you an idea:
1. Saves time and reduces stress
With Plan Management, you don’t have to deal with the accounts team of your different providers – all the administration will be done on your behalf by your Plan Manager.
2. Security and peace of mind
Plan Managers are qualified accountants or bookkeepers and are approved NDIS providers. You can rest easy knowing your funding is in safe hands.
3. Helps you get organised
Your Plan Manager looks after all the record-keeping related to your funding. They will provide you with monthly statements so you can see where your funds are being spent. This will help you be more prepared when it’s time for your plan reassessment.
4. Flexibility, choice and control
Plan Management is more flexible than other options because you can receive services from providers that aren’t NDIS registered.
Finding the right Plan Manager
Once your request for Plan Management funding is approved, you can find a Plan Manager through myplace portal, your Local Area Coordinator, your Support Coordinator or through your friends and family.
You can also sign up with Afea Plan Management in a matter of minutes.
- Real-time tracking: With the Afea Plan Management Portal, you and your authorised representatives are able to log in to the portal anytime from anywhere to track spending in real-time
- Speedy payments: We can pay your providers within 2-3 business days
- Regular budget overview: We send monthly financial statements and regularly inform clients of underutilisation or overspending
- Dedicated support: You’ll have a dedicated Plan Coordinator, ensuring that there is only one point of contact within the organisation for all of your plan management needs.